Hydro Eclectic Power

The process, Lyons says, addresses several elements that can enhance immune system function--reducing fear and anger, decreasing isolation and surfacing inner tensions where they can be dealt with. While no research has been done to demonstrate health benefits of dreamwork, Lyons cites a Stanford study that demonstrated immune system benefits to women with metastatic cancer participating in a cancer support group.

When Lyons began her support group, she recalls that many of the women's dreams featured images of running away from snakes, bears and other terrors. After a year of group work, the women now dream of watching and admiring small bears in the back yard--and of adopting baby bears as pets and bringing them into the house.

"Over time in a dream group, the perception of threatening images begins to change and they seem less threatening," Lyons says. The women report few images of illness, or even medical settings, in their dreams.

Members of Lyons's group have integrated dreamwork into other mind/body therapies, with most members using dream images in yoga, tai chi and art therapy. Some members also keep dream journals and write poetry.

The Wellness Community is part of a 26-center, Cincinnati-based national cancer support program, and a member group in Philadelphia is now offering dream therapy, and it's under consideration in Baltimore.

Several audience members at the dream conference told Lyons they plan to set up dream support groups for people in Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon, and for individuals inected with the virus that causes AIDS.

--Judy Packer-Tursman

Flip Side Effects

New Uses for Old Drugs: Intriguing Leads or Statistical Flukes

The blood thinner warfarin recently was found to help ward off cancer in people treated for blood clots. The same week, three studies suggested that popular cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins may somehow reduce the risk of broken bones.

Huh? This sort of pharmaceutical serendipity is increasingly common: A drug approved for one use is found, by accident or design, to have other intriguing effects. It's distracting to health consumers already teetering on the risk-benefit balance beam.

Should a woman worried about osteoporosis consider taking statins, which are approved only against high cholesterol? Does it make sense for anyone without blood clots to start taking warfarin (brand name: Coumadin)--on the chance it could lessen the risk of cancer?

Not yet, experts agree.